MONTEGO BAY, ST JAMES — After a prolonged absence, Jarrett Park is set to echo once again with the chants and cheers of top-tier Jamaican football, as Montego Bay United prepares to welcome Waterhouse FC this Sunday in a pivotal Premier League clash.
The long-standing sporting venue is reclaiming its legacy as the heart of football in western Jamaica. This return marks a significant shift following the temporary shutdown of the Montego Bay Sports Complex, which sustained extensive structural damage during the late October onslaught of Hurricane Melissa. The deluge submerged key sections of the Catherine Hall facility in thick silt, disrupting operations and rendering the field unplayable for the time being.
Though not spared by the storm, Jarrett Park’s playing surface avoided catastrophic damage. While one of the towering floodlights was toppled and a section of the perimeter wall gave way, rapid efforts have been underway to ready the stadium for Sunday’s fixture. Clean-up crews have been working around the clock, with water trucks—one operated by the Jamaica Fire Brigade—scrubbing down the main stand and clearing away the storm’s residue.
Montego Bay United’s return to Jarrett Park is more than just a logistical adjustment—it’s a symbolic homecoming. The club’s leadership views it as an act of resilience and renewal.
“We’ve always said Jarrett Park is the soul of Montego Bay football,” one club official noted. “This move is about more than football; it’s about restoring pride, identity, and community spirit.”
Once a crown jewel of sports in western Jamaica, Jarrett Park has played host to some of the most historic moments in the island’s sporting history. From regional cricket showdowns in the 70s and 80s to high-stakes daCosta Cup finals and international football qualifiers, its soil is etched with decades of competition and triumph. The venue was once the battleground for storied clubs like Violet Kickers, Seba United, and Wadadah—each of whom brought national titles to the parish of St James.
Now, with Premier League lights returning to its turf, a new chapter begins.
While the stadium is undergoing final touches ahead of the weekend clash, local anticipation is palpable. Community members and football enthusiasts alike are eager to see Jarrett Park humming with life again, its bleachers filled with fans and its turf alive with play.
Sunday’s match will not only test Montego Bay United on the field—it will also test the readiness of a reborn home ground, determined to reclaim its place in the island’s football story.
